Rand Paul Takes Page From Sharron Angle's Playbook, Evades Reporter (VIDEO)

Republican candidate Rand Paul, who's vying capture Kentucky's open U.S. Senate seat, appears to be taking a page out of fellow Tea Party-backed contender Sharron Angle's playbook on media strategy.

Earlier this week, Paul sat down for a Fox News interview in attempt to dispel allegations that he forced a female friend "to take bong hits," among other changes, during the years he was enrolled as a student at Baylor University.

After taping the segment at a Lexington, Ky. affiliate, the GOP hopeful declined an invitation to discuss the controversy with reporters at the local outlet.

The video below shows Paul attempting to justify his refusal to answer further questions about the controversy that came to light in a recent GQ profile.

(Angle, who is running to unseat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in Nevada, also opted against taking questions from reporters at what was supposed to be a media-friendly event last month.)

WATCH: Rand Paul Runs From Kentucky Press

Comments

[Justin Mckay]

04:21 PM on 09/09/2010

Rand Paul denies these allegations and the woman reportedly does to.

[Ankle]

07:40 AM on 08/17/2010

Wow, no one can ever again say Sarah Palin isn't a trendsetter!

[Keith Jarvis]

02:32 PM on 08/15/2010

Obviously a story to promote someones political agenda. Not much in this story resembles the truth.

[Ankle]

07:42 AM on 08/17/2010

Thank you for your contribution from the peanut gallery on Mars.

[Naughton]

12:28 AM on 08/14/2010

The drug addiction problem is horrible across Ky but especially E Ky. It's not just 1 generation, it's several now Some of the reasons for rampant drug abuse is the rape of the environment by the coal industry, a steady decrease in jobs & opportunities & the inability of its people to see a positive future. EVERY politician in Ky should address this issue.

I don't understand what people are talking about when they say "legalize drugs." Are they talking about all drugs or just marijuana? Could anyone walk into a drug store & buy their drug of choice w/o a docs prescription?

The National Institute of Drug Abuse is predicting drug abuse will double by 2010 nationally.

In addition to treatment & prevention for E Ky part of the solution HAS to be developing a sustainable & thriving economy.



The August Solutions Journal is devoted to a "sustainable & desirable future for Appalachia," reports their Web site. The main article is "Beyond Coal: A Resilient New Economy for Appalachia," & also includes reporting on the Kentucky Community Alliance, carbon capture & storage & commentary by Wendell Berry.

[Dunkleberger Karl]

04:07 AM on 08/14/2010

Just Maryjuana! The Licence alone $10,000 bucks each could reap a billion dollars in 3 months! The elimination of Helicopters searching for illigal hemp feilds another 10 billion a year!Police coruption Down59% PRICELESS!

[Daniel H Campbell]

10:50 PM on 08/13/2010

I can't believe there are media outlets that pay people to report absolute crap like this.

Places like Huffington Post are going to tear this country apart from the seams. This is what happens when the National Enquirer is the new standard for news

[Naughton]

02:03 AM on 08/14/2010

Sounds like you, Daniel, live somewhere where there isn't the absolute crap of drug abuse & addiction. Tell me where this place is, where a country isn't being torn apart at the seams because of drug abuse & addiction, a corrupt government & many businesses that are only concerned with higher & higher profits to the detriment of its people, the environment & the future of our children & grandchildren.

I'm sure this "Utopia" you seem to live in would have a standard for news that would ignore facts & the concerns of its people. There wouldn't be a Huffington Post where people could discuss issues of importance. Your "National Enquirer" would be the new standard of news because there would be the complete abolishment of all government regulations & freedom of the press. Your "Utopian" news would ignore any negative consequences & your reporters would run around reporting on the land of honey & milk and the occasional news of the weird because its inhabitants would need something to discuss with each other.

DUDE! I'm afraid your "Utopia" would be the embodiment of anarchy.

So. Tell me where you live because I wouldn't want to live there. I imagine this "Utopia" would be highly selective of the immigration of folks. Everyone would be docile, acquiescent & teachable but there would be the inevitable revolution I hope.

If you don't like Huffpo stay off & turn to Red State, Rush, Glenn & Ann Coulter. All of them live in their

[Dunkleberger Karl]

04:09 AM on 08/14/2010

And Now a word from Our sponser :GOLD!

[Dunkleberger Karl]

08:21 PM on 08/13/2010

The First Rule of AQUA BUDDA, is you dont talk about AQUA BUDDA!

[randpaulhoaz]

04:12 PM on 08/13/2010

Its funny they think you KY people are so STUPID they STILL run this story after its PROVEN AND ADMITTED TO BE A FRAUD! hahahah

[Jan Civil]

04:45 PM on 08/13/2010

The story is a guy walking away from a reporter; a guy with real political ambitions who can't stand the heat of that kitchen.

That isn't a fraudulent story. The other thing isn't that interesting to me, but if he used to use a bong, there is an artful way to make that into a normative experience for the audience. He doesn't have what it takes.

Your tone and all the capitalization reveals a sort of sad desperation, just a heads-up...

[ohnos5]

12:54 PM on 08/22/2010

What you don't realize is what you refer to as the "kitchen" is currently dismantled to the point of utter ridiculousness.

[randpaulhoaz]

04:53 PM on 08/13/2010

Nah the story is about a man that did his interview and inst going to sit there and respond to allegations that have already been proven false. Also my tone and capitalization can be interpreted anyway you want.. its type.. sending a member of your own camp to smear the opposition reveals extreme desperation.. just a heads up

[randpaulhoaz]

04:08 PM on 08/13/2010

http://www.infowars.com/desperate-establishments-latest-rand-paul-hoax-backfires/

haha little john on the run? This is the 5th smear on Rand in the past 3 months by these simpletons. Still losing in the polls.

[nomadrdw]

03:39 PM on 08/13/2010

if these people are afraid of reporters, how do we expect them to face the predators they are going to have to deal with in DC?

you can't continue to be a coward and run from reporters if you expect to get elected Mr. Paul.

[rkcomments]

03:20 PM on 08/13/2010

Whoa, he's running from Fox? That's like a cat running away from a bowl of milk.

[den1953]

02:24 PM on 08/13/2010

This just in the GOP is fitting Rand Paul and Sharon Angle in track suits in time for their first debates edited film at 12pm on Fox News brought to you be NIKE!

[den1953]

02:22 PM on 08/13/2010

Sharon Angle and Rand Paul having that same dream of reporters chasing them just to ask them got cha questions, i have a solution call Sarah Palin and have Katie Coric interview both of them tonight on CBS!

[BillyClub]

01:24 PM on 08/13/2010

Rand Paul! Does he get his haircuts from Pee Wee Herman's barber? And where the heck did he buy that ugly shirt?

[okami]

09:52 PM on 08/13/2010

please don't insult PeeWee,

[stanblack]

01:22 PM on 08/13/2010

These are great. I love how these rubes run from the press. Best. Image. Evar!

[spiegelp]

01:22 PM on 08/13/2010

How the tea party (first Angle, now Paul) handles questions:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MockTheDummy1?feature=mhw5#p/u/6/xkC5u4sIIas